We have an older front door (pine) with 2 panels. As the seasons change the panels expand and contract. The panels insert in the grooves of the stiles and rails of the door. During the dry months, the panel actually contracts to the point the edge of the panel comes out of the groove of the stile creating a gap 1/8 to 1/4 inch wide. Once the humidity sets in, the panels expand and slip back into the groove. Any way to fix this?

Jim, March 2010

They will do that as it is a natural process and the door is designed as it is to compensate for that without splitting itself apart.Your problem is that the door has no protective finish on it or it has worn off,when the door is at it's best paint it,varnish it,apply clear wood sealant to it,treat it with Danish Oil,in fact any finish you like as long as it helps retain the moisture content of the wood.ALL timber products on ALL homes need some treatment.Paint your door!!!!

a, March 2010